A computer-based mapping approach for evaluating straight-line accuracy of autopilot tractor traversing the oil palm field terrain

Abstract

Many methods have been introduced to evaluate straight-line accuracy of autopilot pilot tractor while moving across the farm field. This study presents a new alternative approach for evaluating straight-line accuracy of an autopilot tractor traversing the oil palm field terrain. A combination of mapping and spreadsheet software was utilized to develop the approach. The passes of autopilot tractor traversing the oil palm field were mapped by its embedded GPS system. The recorded tractor passes along with latitude and longitude coordinates of World Geographical System (WGS) 1984 were converted into Kertau Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) in XY-plane of Cartesian coordinate by using mapping software. The values of converted coordinates were then exported to a spreadsheet software for computing the errors of straight-line accuracy. The new approach successfully found mean error of straight-line accuracy of ±7.78 cm of the tractor traversing the oil palm field terrain. Generally, this approach has a great potential to enrich the existing methods in the evaluation of the straight-line accuracy of autopilot tractor for field operations.